Surgical garment and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A multi-piece surgical garment assembly which may include a head cover and a surgical gown that may be configured to be fastenable to one another wherein the surgical gown is contiguous across a circumference of the gown and covers substantially all of the body of the wearer. The head cover and gown may be fastened via at least one fastener and may be further fastened via a second fastener.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the following patent application(s) which is/are hereby incorporated by reference: None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a surgical garment and method of use.

More particularly, this disclosure pertains to a multi-piece surgical garment that includes a head cover and a surgical gown that may be fastenable to one another.

Surgical garments are used during surgical and medical procedures to provide a barrier between the wearer, normally a surgeon or other medical professional, and the exterior environment. Conventional surgical garments that are made of multiple pieces are limited in their ability to create a barrier between the medical professional and the external environment while still maintaining comfort, flexibility, and aseptic techniques. Some surgical garments in the prior art include a helmet and gown, or toga, but are bulky, difficult to put on, and are at risk of becoming contaminated when the medical practitioner moves due to a lack of fastening the helmet and gown together.

What is needed, then, is a surgical garment that provides a protective barrier and includes a multi-piece system that is easy to use, comfortable, and offers maximum barrier protection that is at little risk of becoming contaminated. In particular, the gown and helmet should be fastenable such that the pieces are less prone to becoming separated and causing loss of aseptic techniques, danger to the practitioner and patient, and causing delay during the medical procedure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A multi-piece surgical garment assembly may include a head cover and a surgical gown. The head cover and the surgical gown may be configured to secure the surgical gown over a portion of the head cover.

The head cover may include an exterior surface, a transparent face shield, and a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a head opening.

The surgical gown may include a main body, a neck portion, and an interior surface, wherein the surgical gown is configured to receive the bottom portion of the head cover and the neck portion may include a flap that is configured to overlap and fasten to a section of the neck portion. The neck portion may be further secured to prevent the head cover from slipping out, or being pulled out inadvertently, from underneath the surgical gown. The surgical gown may further include a first tie and a second tie adjacent the neck portion that may be fastened together and provide additional protection for securing the gown over a portion of the head cover.

The surgical garment may further include the main body of the surgical gown being contiguous around a circumference of the main body.

The surgical garment may further include the interior surface of the neck portion and the exterior surface of the bottom portion of the head cover comprising a secondary fastener. The secondary fastener may include a first component that is located on a portion of the interior surface of the neck portion. The secondary fastener may also include a second component that is located on the exterior surface of the bottom portion of the head cover The fastener components may engage each other to prevent the bottom portion of the head cover from being dislodged out from underneath the neck portion of the surgical gown.

The surgical garment may include the first fastener of the neck portion of the surgical gown and bottom portion of the head cover as a snap fastener.

The surgical garment may include the second fastener of the neck portion of the surgical gown and bottom portion of the head cover as a hook and loop fastener.

The surgical garment may further include the exterior neck portion of the surgical gown having at least one pocket covering the position of the first component of the first fastener. The pocket may allow the surgical gown to be tightened around the head cover in a sterile manner and may be the primary mode by which separation of the two components, the surgical gown and head cover, is prevented.

The surgical garment may further include the head cover having a flap wherein the surgical gown is configured to be worn over the flap of the head cover. The surgical gown may be fastenable to the exterior surface of the flap of the head cover.

The surgical garment may include an interior surface of the neck portion of the gown and an exterior surface of the head cover which may include the flap having a secondary fastener. The secondary fastener may have a first component located on at least a portion of the interior surface of the neck portion, and a second component of the secondary fastener located on the exterior surface of the flap of the head cover.

An embodiment of the disclosure may include a multi-piece surgical garment comprising the steps of receiving a head opening of a head cover on a head of a wearer; receiving a neck opening of a surgical gown over the head cover and onto a torso of the wearer; tightening the neck opening of the surgical gown to secure the flaps of the head cover; and providing the flaps to be disengaged from an interior neck portion of the surgical gown.

An embodiment of the disclosure may also include tightening the neck opening which may include fastening a neck flap that may be configured to overlap a section of a neck portion of the surgical gown.

An embodiment may include the flaps of the head cover being operable to engage an interior neck portion of the surgical gown when the flaps are moved in a direction to be unsecured from the surgical gown. The engagement of the flaps with the interior neck portion may be accomplished by using a secondary fastener.

An embodiment of the disclosure may further include releasing the neck flap from the section of the neck portion of the surgical gown to loosen the neck opening. The head cover may then be removed from the head of the wearer while maintaining the surgical gown on the torso of the wearer.

Numerous objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments set forth herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical garment as worn by a wearer with the head cover worn underneath the surgical gown.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical garment as worn by a wearer with the head cover worn over the surgical gown.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical gown as viewed from the front being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical gown as viewed from the rear being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical gown as viewed from the front.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical gown as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 7 is a closeup view of the rear of the neck portion of an embodiment of a surgical gown.

FIG. 8 is a second closeup view of the rear of the neck portion of an embodiment of a surgical gown.

FIG. 9 is a view of the rear of the back of an embodiment of a surgical gown that includes a flap.

FIG. 10 is a front and side view of an embodiment of a head cover.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of a head cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth herein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a surgical garment is shown and generally designated as numeral 100. FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical garment 100 which may include a head cover 102 and a surgical gown 104. The head cover 102 of FIG. 1 may include an exterior surface 106, a face shield 108, and a bottom portion 110. The surgical gown as illustrated in FIG. 1 may include a main body 112 with a neck portion 114 and an interior surface 116. The head cover 102 and surgical gown 104 may be configured so that the head cover is fastened to the surgical gown or that the surgical gown 104 is tightened around the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102. In these configurations, the head cover 102 cannot be easily repositioned while a wearer is operating on a patient, or generally moving around, and therefore, the sterility of the wearer and surrounding environment may be maintained. For the head cover 102 to be repositioned, the head cover must be unfastened from the surgical gown 104 or the surgical gown 104 must be loosed from around the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102, thus preventing inadvertent desterilization of the environment around the wearer, patient, and surgical environment.

As used herein, the surgical garment 100 may also be known as a surgical hood and gown, a 2-piece toga, a modular toga, or a 2-piece gown.

It is to be generally understood that the head cover 102 and surgical gown 104 may be fabricated from a variety of suitable fabrics known in the art. Typically, fabrics with characteristics such as being fluid repellant, fluid absorbable, anti-microbial, anti-viral, fire retardant, and are capable of sterilization may be desirable. Further consideration may also be given to the weight and comfort of the fabric such that the surgical garment may not be overly heavy to cause fatigue to the wearer as well as the garment being comfortable for long periods of time, on the order of hours in some embodiments. In one embodiment, the head cover 102 and surgical gown 104 may be made of the same or similar material. In another embodiment, the head cover 102 and surgical gown 104 may be made of different materials. It will also be understood that the fabric may be a single layer or may include multiple layers. Each of the layers may be the same material or may be made of different materials. In one embodiment, a fabric of multiple layers may include different layers each with different properties thus providing a fabric with beneficial properties over that of just a single layer. Additionally, the fabrics may cooperate together to provide additional benefits that otherwise are not imparted to each fabric on its own.

In some embodiments, the fabric may be a microporous film that allows gas to pass through the fabric while still maintaining the physical and microbial barrier. The surgical gown may be manufactured from a woven or non-woven fabric. Examples of non-woven fabric include, but are not limited to, spunlace, spunbond, and blends of polyester, polypropylene, and/or polyethylene, as well as combinations thereof. The fabric may be disposable or reusable. The fabric may also meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1670-98 standard for blood penetration resistance and/or ASTM F1671-97B standard for viral penetration resistance.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a surgical gown 104 may include a main body 112 for covering substantially all of a wearer's body. It is to be understood that the surgical gown 104 may include sleeves 118. The main body 112 may cover the torso of the wearer, and further extend to cover the legs of the wearer. In some embodiments, the surgical gown 104 may extend downward to the knees or to the ankles of the wearer to cover substantially all of the wearer's body. The surgical gown may include a perforated portion 105 at the bottom of the main body 112 such that a wearer may remove the perforated section if the gown is too long in relation to the person's height. The surgical gown 104 may include a neck portion 114 which allows the head cover 102 or the wearer's head to pass through a neck opening 115 of the surgical gown 104 and be draped over the wearer's body. The neck opening 115 may have a diameter of between 20 and 50 centimeters. In some embodiments, the diameter may be 30 centimeters. In some embodiments, the main body 112 of the surgical gown 104 may be contiguous around a circumference 120 of the main body 112. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 112 of the surgical gown 104 may be contiguous across the front and back sections. This configuration may also be known as a one-piece gown. This configuration requires the wearer to place the surgical gown 104 over the head of the wearer and pass the head cover 102 or the wearer's head through the neck opening 115 so that the gown 104 will rest on the torso of the wearer. The benefit of having a single contiguous configuration is that it provides a greater degree of protection between the wearer and the external environment as compared to prior art surgical gowns. By having a contiguous surgical gown 104, the wearer is encompassed within the surgical garment with less likelihood of the gown opening as compared to the prior art.

It will be understood that while certain embodiments of this disclosure include multiple pieces to a surgical garment, each piece may also be utilized individually. In some embodiments, the surgical gown 104 may be utilized without the head cover wherein the surgical gown is worn and may still utilize certain fasteners such as the neck flap 124 to tighten the neck opening 115 described in more detail below. Likewise, other components in addition to the head cover 102 may be utilized which may attach to the surgical gown 104 in a similar fashion as described herein. This may allow for multiple attachment pieces to be selected and utilized by the wearer dependent on the circumstances and medical procedure being performed.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, the surgical gown 104 may include fasteners which are located at the neck portion 114 of the surgical gown 104. In one embodiment, the interior surface 122 of the neck portion 114 may comprise a fastener component which is configured to fasten to a corresponding fastener component on the exterior surface 106 of the head cover 102. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that a fastener may be comprised of two components, often a male component and a female component. The location of the male component and the female component on a particular part of the surgical garment is of little importance except as specified below. It will be understood that one component (male or female component) will be located on the surgical gown 104 and the corresponding component (female or male component) will be located on the head cover 102. As used herein, the female component is the component which receives the male component. Examples of fasteners of this type include snap fasteners, buttons, buckles, hook-and-loop, hook-and-eye, frogging fastener, clamp, clasp, nut and bolt, screw and anchor, pin and rivet, split pin, straps, combinations thereof, and the like. Additionally, zippers and clasp lockers may also be used in a similar manner.

In some embodiments, the neck portion 114 of the surgical gown 104 includes a flap 124 that is secured on all sides to the surgical gown except on one side, thus creating a pocket 126. The pocket 126 may include at least one component of a fastener that is located on the flap 124. In some embodiments, the fastener may be a snap fastener, a hook and look fastener, or a combination of straps that fasten together. The male component 128 may be located on the flap 124. In some embodiments, a single male component may be used. In another embodiment, a plurality of male components may be disposed along the pocket. It will be understood that the male component may also be substituted for the female component of a snap fastener or hook and loop fastener.

The pocket 126 may be further divided into a plurality of pockets such that the flap 124 may be secured to the surgical gown 104 at intermediate points between each end. Similarly, a plurality of flaps may be placed adjacent to each other and create their own individual pockets 126. Each individual pocket 126 may include a single fastener component or may include multiple fastener components disposed on the flap 124.

The configuration of the pocket 126 having a fastener component disposed on the flap 124 allows for a second individual to place their hand between the flap 124 and the exterior of the surgical gown to manipulate the fastener component and fasten the surgical gown 104 to the head cover 102. Thus, it is understood that the head cover 102 will have corresponding fastener components that align with the components on the pockets 126 to allow fastening of the gown and head cover.

In another embodiment, the surgical gown may include a fastener component 130 located directly on the surgical gown 104. The fastener component 130 may be located on the exterior of the surgical gown 104 or the interior of the gown. One embodiment may include a plurality of fastener components 130, all of the plurality components similarly located about the exterior or interior. Or, in an additional embodiment, the plurality of fastener components 130 may include a subset of the plurality located on the interior and a subset located on the exterior. This configuration allows for a single surgical gown configuration which can fasten the head cover to the inside or the outside of the gown.

In yet another embodiment, both the pocket configuration and the configuration where a fastener is directly attached to the gown may be employed in a single embodiment. In some embodiments, the first fastener components may each be disposed on a rear side of the surgical gown 104 and the head cover 102. Thus, the fastening of the gown 104 to the head cover 102 occurs at the back of the wearer in such an embodiment.

The surgical gown 104 may also include a fastener which is of a different fastener-type than the first fastener. In one embodiment this additional fastener may be located on the interior surface 122 of the surgical gown 104. It will be understood that this additional fastener may be a single fastener or may be a plurality of additional fasteners, though reference will generally be made in the singular form. The additional fastener may be comprised of two components, often a male component and a female component as previously recited. The component of the additional fastener 131 located on the interior surface 122 may be disposed around at least a portion of the circumferential length of the interior surface 122 (See FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the additional fastener components may each be disposed on a rear side of the surgical gown 104 and the head cover 102. Thus, the fastening of the gown 104 via the additional fastener to the head cover 102 occurs at the back of the wearer. In one embodiment, the component of the additional fastener 131 is disposed around the entire circumferential length of the interior surface 122 of the neck portion 114 and therefore includes the front and rear sides. In other embodiments, the additional fastener 131 is disposed on the front side of the surgical gown 104.

In some embodiments, the additional fastener includes a snap fastener or hook-and-loop fastener, or a combination of both. The first component of the additional fastener is located along the interior surface 122 of the neck portion 114 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. For example, the first component may be the male (hook) portion or the female (loop) portion. The first component may be from about 1 to 10 cm in height, wherein the height is represented by numeral 154. In some embodiments, the first component may be about 5 cm in height 154. In other embodiments, the first component may be about 3 cm in height 154. The corresponding second component may be located on the head cover 102 and aligned so that the surgical gown 104 and head cover 102 may be fastened together via the second fastener. The corresponding second component located on the head cover 102 may be the same height as the first component or may be a different height. It may be beneficial to employ different heights between the first and second components to allow for greater flexibility in fastening the head cover 102 to the surgical gown 104. This flexibility may allow for greater comfort among different wearers. Additionally, by fastening the surgical gown 104 to the head cover 102, the two pieces of attire are less likely to separate during use due to movement of the wearer. Before, during, and after medical interventions, it may be important for the two components to remain in place so that the sterility of the wearer and the external environment is maintained. Especially during actions such as surgery where the wearer may be moving around often or is in surgery for an extended period of time, the sterility of the environment should be maintained. Repeated positioning and repositioning of the hood and gown may cause the wearer to become uncomfortable, tired, and otherwise impact performance which could lead to dangerous conditions for all involved in a surgical procedure, especially the patient.

In other embodiments, the additional fastener may be located on the exterior surface 132 of the neck portion 114 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The first component 131 of the additional fastener may be disposed around at least a portion of the circumferential length of the exterior surface 132 as shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the component 131 of the additional fastener may be disposed around the entire circumferential length of the exterior surface 132 of the neck portion 114. In other embodiments, the first component 131 of the additional fastener may be located along the flap 124 that constitutes the pocket 126 as shown in FIG. 7.

In some embodiments, the additional fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener. The first component 131 may be the hook portion or the loop portion of the fastening device. Where the first component 131 of the hook-and-loop fastener is located along the exterior of the flap 124 that constitutes the pocket 126, the flap itself may be the first component 131 of the fastener, or the flap may be any appropriate material and the first component 131 is attached onto the flap. In this configuration, the first fastener or plurality of fasteners located on the exterior of the flap as previously described may be attached on top of the component 131 of the hook-and-loop fastener. This embodiment creates a dual-fastening system wherein the head cover 102 and surgical gown 104 may be fastened together via the first fastener and then also fastened together via the second fastener located adjacent the first fastener. This dual-fastening system creates an extra layer of protection against the head cover and surgical gown from moving and releasing from each other.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the surgical gown 104 may also include a neck flap 134 that is located along the neck portion 114. The neck flap 134 can function to allow the surgical gown 114 to be more easily taken on and off and also allow the neck portion 114 to be tightened around the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102. In one embodiment, a component of the additional fastener may be located on the interior surface 122 of the neck portion 114 and may extend onto the neck flap 134 such that when the surgical gown 104 is fastened to the head cover 102, the neck flap 134 is closed. In a similar way, a component of the additional fastener may be located on the exterior surface 132 of the neck portion 114. When the head cover 102 is fastened to the surgical gown 104, the neck flap 134 may be closed.

The neck flap 134 may also be configured to overlap a section of the neck portion 114 such that the neck flap 134 tightens the neck opening 115 to secure the head cover 102 under the surgical gown 104. In some embodiments, the interior portion 135 of the neck flap 134 and an exterior section of the neck portion 114 may include a fastener to fasten the neck flap 134 to the section of the neck 114. The fastener may include a snap fastener, hook and look fastener, or a combination of straps that are fastened together. In this configuration, the neck flap 134 may overlap a section of the neck portion 114 such that the radius of the neck opening 115 is decreased as the neck flap 134 overlaps and is fastened to the section of the neck portion 114. This may be beneficial in securing the head cover 102 under the surgical gown 104, as well as allowing for greater flexibility in adjusting the neck opening 115 to fit different sized wearers.

In some embodiments, the main body 112 of the surgical gown 104 may include straps 137 that may be located adjacent the neck portion 114. The straps may be fastened together across the shoulders of the wearer to create an additional means of preventing the head cover 102 from being exposed from underneath the surgical gown, and may provide additional means of preventing the neck flap 134 from becoming unfastened to the overlapping section of the neck portion 114.

The surgical gown 104 may also include ties 136. The ties 136 may be located along the sides of the surgical gown 104 and allow the gown to be tightened around the wearer. The ties 136 may generally be located around the waist of the wearer, but in some embodiments, the ties 136 may also be located higher or lower. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a single tie set, or multiple tie sets may be used. The ties 136 may include buckles that allow for the ties to be fastened together.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the head cover 102 may comprise a face shield 108 which is transparent and allows the wearer to see the external environment while providing a barrier to any debris, pathogens, or containments. The face shield 108 may include anti-reflective and/or anti-refractive coatings. The head cover 102 may be fabricated from a single panel or multiple panels that are joined together. The head cover 102 may include a bottom portion 110 which includes a head opening as shown in FIG. 11. The head cover 102 further includes corresponding fastener components to those components of the surgical gown 104. Where the surgical gown 104 contains a male component, the head cover 102 may contain a female component. Where the surgical gown 104 contains a female component, the head cover 102 may contain a male component.

In some embodiments, the head cover 102 may comprise a complementary fastener component or components that align with the fastener component or components of the surgical gown 104. This complementary configuration allows the gown and head cover to be fastened together with ease and worn in a comfortable manner. It will be understood that the fastener components of each attire piece, the gown 104 and head cover 102, should be arranged on the respective attire pieces to align for proper wearing of the surgical garment 100.

In some embodiments, the interior surface 140 of the head cover 102 may include a fastener component attached thereto that is located within the bottom portion 110. The fastener component is located on the bottom portion 110 such that the fastener component aligns with the complementary fastener component of the surgical gown 104. This alignment allows the head cover to be located where the wearer can view the external environment through the face shield 108. In this embodiment, the head cover 102 is worn over the surgical gown 104 and may be fastened via the fastener or fasteners.

In embodiments where the head cover 102 is worn over the surgical gown 104, a first fastener may include a snap fastener. One component of the snap fastener may be located on the interior surface 140 of the head cover 102. The complementary component of the snap fastener may be located on the exterior surface 132 of the neck portion 114 of the surgical gown 104. In other embodiments, the complementary component of the snap fastener may be located on the flap 124 as previously described above.

In embodiments where the head cover 102 is worn over the surgical gown 104, an additional fastener may include a hook-and-loop fastener. One component of the hook-and-loop fastener may be located on the interior surface 140 of the head cover 102. The complementary component of the hook-and-loop fastener may be located on the exterior surface 132 of the surgical gown 104.

In one embodiment, the head cover 102 includes an exterior surface 106 which may include a fastener component attached thereto that is located within the bottom portion 110. The fastener component is located on the bottom portion 110 such that the fastener component aligns with the complementary fastener component of the surgical gown 104. In this embodiment, the head cover 102 is worn under the surgical gown 104 and may be fastened via the fastener or fasteners.

In an embodiment where the head cover 102 is worn under the surgical gown 104, a first fastener may include a snap fastener. One component of the snap fastener may be located on the exterior surface 106 of the head cover 102. The complementary component of the snap fastener may be located on the interior surface 122 of the neck portion 114 of the surgical gown 104. It will be understood that in some embodiments, based on the size of the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102, the component of the snap fastener located on the interior surface 116 of the surgical garment 104 may also be located on the main body 112 and not the neck portion.

In another embodiment where the head cover 102 is worn over the surgical gown 104, an additional fastener may preferably include a hook-and-loop fastener. One component of the hook-and-loop fastener may be located on the exterior surface 106 of the head cover 102. The complementary component of the hook-and-loop fastener may be located on the interior surface 122 of the surgical gown 104.

In some embodiments, a secondary fastener may be utilized on the head cover 102 and the neck portion 114 of the surgical gown 104. The secondary fastener may include a first component disposed about the bottom edge 152 of the head cover 102 and a second component disposed along at least a portion of the interior surface 122 of the neck 114. In some embodiments, the components of the secondary fastener may be disposed around a portion of head cover 102 and neck portion 114 of the surgical gown 104 or be disposed around the entire circumference of each portion. During use, a wearer may have the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 covered, or worn beneath, the surgical gown 104. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. In some circumstances, the gown 104 or the head cover 102 may get inadvertently caught on equipment, or may be moved, or repositioned such that the head cover 102 could become dislodged from beneath the surgical gown 104. This presents a problem and may cause the outer surfaces of the surgical gown to become aseptic which may require the wearer to stop a medical procedure or suspend it temporarily. The secondary fastener may help prevent this problem from occurring.

In some embodiments, the components of the secondary fasteners are not engaged during normal use wherein the head cover 102 is disposed beneath the surgical gown 104. The first component of the secondary fastener may be positioned along the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102, or along the bottom edge 152 of the head cover. The second component of the secondary fastener may be positioned on the interior surface 122 of the neck 114. In the event the head cover 102 starts to become dislodged from beneath the surgical gown 104, the components of the secondary fastener may be pulled toward each other and engage to fasten the head cover 102 and gown 104 together. This engagement may prevent the head cover 102 from coming dislodge and contaminating the outer layers of the surgical gown 104. In some embodiments, the secondary fastener is a hood and loop fastener.

The head cover 102 may also include a head cover flap 142 that may extend from the bottom portion 110. In some embodiments, the head cover 102 includes a single head cover flap 142 at the rear of the bottom portion 110. The single rear flap 142 may include components for any of the fasteners as described previously. The components of the fasteners may be located on the interior or exterior of the rear flap 142. In another embodiment, the head cover 102 may comprise a single front flap that has the same characteristics as the rear flap including the components for the fasteners that are located on the interior or exterior of the flap. The head cover 102 may also comprise four flaps as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The four flap include a front, rear, left, and right 144, 146, 148, 150 flap. In one embodiment, each flap 144, 146, 148, 150 may include a component of the fasteners with the complementary components aligned or disposed about the surgical gown's neck portion 114 or main body 112. Specifically, the front, rear, left, and right 144, 146, 148, 150 flaps may include a component of the secondary fastener along the bottom edge 152 of each flap. In one embodiment, a component of the secondary fastener may be contiguous around the entire edge 152 of the bottom portion 110 including each flap 144, 146, 148, 150.

In some embodiments, the head cover 102 may only include a single rear flap 146. The flap 146 may be approximately 1 inch to 12 inches in length (identified by numeral 156) when measured from the joint 158 at which the flap projects from the main body 160 of the head cover 102. In another embodiment, the flap 146 may be approximately 4 inches to 8 inches in length 156. In another embodiment, the flap 146 may be approximately 6 inches in length.

In some embodiments, the head cover 102 may include a rear flap 146 and a front flap 144. The rear flap 146 and front flap 144 may be the same length 156 or may be different lengths. The front flap 144 may be longer or shorter in length 156 than the rear flap 146. In some embodiments, the front 144 and/or rear 146 flap may be approximately 1 inch to 12 inches in length (identified by numeral 156) when measured from the joint 158 at which the flap projects from the main body 160 of the head cover 102. In another embodiment, the front 144 and/or rear 146 flap may be approximately 4 inches to 8 inches in length 156. In another embodiment, the front 144 and/or rear 146 flap may be approximately 6 inches in length.

In some embodiments, the head cover 102 may include a left side flap 148 and a right-side flap 150. When used in this disclosure, the left and right sides are determined based on the left side and the right side of the wearer's body. The left side 148 and right side 150 flaps may be the same length 156, or they may be different lengths. The left side flap 148 may be longer or shorter in length 156 than the right-side flap 150. In some embodiments, the left side flap 148 may be the same, longer, or shorter than either the front 144 or rear 146 flap. In another embodiment, the right-side flap 150 may be the same, longer, or shorter than either the front 144 or rear 146 flap. The left side flap 148 and right side 150 flap may be approximately 1 inch to 12 inches in length (identified by numeral 156) when measured from the joint 158 at which the flap projects from the main body 160 of the head cover 102. In another embodiment, the left side flap 148 and/or right-side flap 150 may be approximately 4 inches to 8 inches in length 156. In another flap, the left side extension 148 and/or right-side flap 150 may be approximately 6 inches in length.

It will be understood that the flaps 144, 146, 148, 150 may all be included as a single flap with no other extensions, or they may be used all together, or in some combination there between.

A method of use will also be described for the surgical garment 100. The method includes a wearer receiving a head cover 102 that includes a head opening 138. The head of the wearer is passed through the head opening 138. The wearer may receive a surgical garment 104 with a neck opening 115 wherein the head cover 102 is passed through the neck opening 115 and onto the torso of the wearer. The neck opening 115 may be tightened to secure the flaps of the head cover 102. In some embodiments, tightening of the neck opening 115 may include fastening a neck flap 134 which may be configured to overlap and fasten to a section of the neck portion 114 of the surgical gown 104.

In some embodiments, the head cover 102 when secured by the surgical gown 104 provides the flaps to be disengaged from an interior neck portion 122 of the surgical gown 104. The flaps may be operable to engage the interior neck portion 122 when the flaps are moved in a direction to be unsecured from the surgical gown 104. Engagement of the flaps with the interior neck portion 122 may be accomplished by using a secondary fastener.

In some embodiments, the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 may also be coupled to an interior neck portion 116 of the surgical gown 104. The method may further include aligning the interior neck portion 116 of the surgical gown 104 with the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 for coupling. A first fastener may be used to couple the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 to the surgical gown 104. A second fastener may be used to further couple the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 to the surgical gown 104.

In one embodiment, a method of use includes a wearer receiving a surgical garment 104 with a neck opening 115. The head of the wearer is passed through the neck opening 115 and onto the torso of the wearer. A head cover 102 that includes a head opening 138 is positioned and the head of the wearer is received through the head opening 138 and into the head cover 102. The bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 is coupled to an exterior portion 132 of the surgical gown 104. The method may further include aligning the exterior portion 132 of the surgical gown 104 with the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 for coupling. A first fastener may be used to couple the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 to the surgical gown 104. A second fastener may be used to further couple the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 to the surgical gown 104.

The method may also include a decoupling step wherein the bottom portion 110 of the head cover 102 is decoupled from the neck portion of the surgical gown 104. The decoupling may include releasing the neck flap 134 to loosen the neck opening 115 of the surgical gown 104. The head cover 102 may then be removed without engaging the secondary fastener while still allowing the surgical gown 104 to remain on the wearer's torso.

In some embodiments, the decoupling may include decoupling the first fastener and then the second fastener, or it may include decoupling the second fastener and then the first fastener. In some embodiments, it may include decoupling both fasteners at the same time. The method may then include removing the head cover 102 from the wearer while maintaining the surgical gown 104 on the torso of the wearer.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful SURGICAL GARMENT AND METHODS OF USE it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-piece surgical garment assembly comprising: a head cover including an exterior surface, a transparent face shield, and a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a head opening; and a surgical gown configured to receive the bottom portion of the head cover, the surgical gown including a main body that is contiguous around a circumference of the main body and including a neck portion having a flap configured to overlap and fasten to a section of the neck portion.
 2. The surgical garment of claim 1, wherein the flap and section of the neck portion fasten via a snap fastener, hook and loop fastener, or strap fastener.
 3. The surgical garment of claim 1, wherein the main body of the surgical gown further comprises a first strap and a second strap adjacent the neck portion configured to be fastened together.
 4. The surgical garment of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the neck portion and the exterior surface of the bottom portion of the head cover comprise a secondary fastener, a first component of the secondary fastener disposed on at least a portion of the interior surface of the neck portion, and a second component of the secondary fastener disposed on the exterior surface of the bottom portion of the head cover.
 5. The surgical garment of claim 4, wherein the secondary fastener of the neck portion of the surgical gown and bottom portion of the head cover is a hook and loop fastener.
 6. The surgical garment of claim 1, wherein the neck portion of the surgical gown further comprises an exterior including at least one pocket.
 7. A multi-piece surgical garment assembly comprising: a head cover having an exterior surface, a transparent face shield, and a flap; and a surgical gown configured to receive the flap of the head cover, the surgical gown including a main body that is contiguous around a circumference of the main body and including a neck portion having a neck flap configured to overlap and fasten to a section of the neck portion.
 8. The surgical garment of claim 7, wherein the neck flap and section of the neck portion fasten via a snap fastener, hook and loop fastener, or strap fastener.
 9. The surgical garment of claim 7, wherein the main body of the surgical gown further comprises a first strap and a second strap adjacent the neck portion configured to be fastened together.
 10. The surgical garment of claim 7, wherein the interior surface of the neck portion and the exterior surface of the flap of the head cover further comprise a secondary fastener, the secondary fastener having a first component disposed on at least a portion of the interior surface of the neck portion, and a second component of the secondary fastener disposed on the exterior surface of the flap of the head cover.
 11. The surgical garment of claim 10, wherein the secondary fastener of the neck portion of the surgical gown and flap of the head cover is a hook and loop fastener.
 12. The surgical garment of claim 7, wherein the flap comprises a plurality of flaps.
 13. The surgical garment of claim 7, wherein the neck portion of the surgical gown further comprises an exterior including at least one pocket.
 14. A method of using a multi-piece surgical garment comprising the steps of: receiving a head opening of a head cover with flaps on a head of a wearer; receiving a neck opening of a surgical gown over the head cover and onto a torso of the wearer; tightening the neck opening of the surgical gown to secure the flaps of the head cover; and providing the flaps to be disengaged from an interior neck portion of the surgical gown.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein tightening of the neck opening comprises fastening a neck flap configured to overlap a section of a neck portion of the surgical gown
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the flaps are operable to engage an interior neck portion when the flaps are moved in a direction to be unsecured from the surgical gown.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the engagement of the flaps with the interior neck portion is accomplished by using a secondary fastener.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising releasing the neck flap from the section of the neck portion of the surgical gown to loosen the neck opening.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising removing the head cover from the head of the wearer while maintaining the surgical gown on the torso of the wearer. 